History The French Revolution Questions Medium
The economic causes of the French Revolution can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the French economy was burdened by a heavy taxation system that primarily targeted the Third Estate, which consisted of the commoners and the bourgeoisie. The nobility and clergy, who made up the First and Second Estates, were exempt from most taxes, placing a disproportionate burden on the lower classes.
Secondly, France faced a severe financial crisis due to extravagant spending by the monarchy, particularly King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette. The monarchy's lavish lifestyle and costly wars, such as the American Revolutionary War, depleted the treasury and led to a growing national debt.
Furthermore, the French economy was hindered by a rigid feudal system that stifled economic growth. The nobility held significant power and privileges, controlling vast amounts of land and imposing feudal dues on the peasants. This system limited social mobility and hindered the development of a prosperous middle class.
Additionally, poor harvests and food shortages in the late 1780s exacerbated the economic grievances of the lower classes. High bread prices and scarcity of basic necessities further fueled discontent among the common people, who were already burdened by heavy taxation and economic inequality.
Overall, the economic causes of the French Revolution can be summarized as a combination of an unfair taxation system, financial mismanagement by the monarchy, a rigid feudal system, and economic hardships faced by the lower classes. These factors created a climate of discontent and inequality, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789.